November 16, 2009 - WASHINGTON - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced publication in the Federal Register of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to strengthen the Aircraft Repair Station Security program. The proposed rulemaking would establish security requirements for maintenance and repair work conducted on aircraft and aircraft components at domestic and foreign repair stations certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The increased security protections proposed in the NPRM are designed to build on the extensive certification and safety requirements for repair stations instituted by the FAA. Aircraft repair stations vary widely in size, type of repair work performed, number of employees and proximity to an airport.

"This proposed rule supplements FAA requirements that protect aircraft undergoing repairs from terrorist threats," said TSA Office of Security Operations Assistant Administrator Lee Kair. "By enhancing repair station security, this rulemaking guards against the potential threat of an aircraft being destroyed or used as a weapon."

The NPRM requires FAA-certificated foreign and domestic repair stations to adopt and carry out a standard TSA security program to safeguard the security of a repair station, the repair work conducted, and all aircraft and aircraft components at the station.

The program will require certificated stations to implement strict access controls, provide security awareness training, and allow for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspections.

The NPRM fulfills the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act's requirement for DHS to put forth security regulations for domestic and foreign aircraft repair stations.

The public has 60 days to comment on the NPRM once published in the Federal Register.

For more information about TSA, visit www.tsa.gov.